The former president gave a long testimony earlier on Wednesdayto Judge Sergio Moro, who is in charge of the corruption casesinvestigated by the Federal Police's Operation Carwash. Hecommented on the accusations made against him by his former ally,denying any involvement in corruption and other alleged crimes.

After a long investigation, Palocci decided to provideinformation on Lula in exchange for a lenience deal. He said theformer president had close ties with the construction companyOdebrecht, which is at the center of the corruption scandalinvolving contracts with oil giant Petrobras coach legacy leather shoulder bag , and received millionsof dollars in bribes from Odebrecht.

"Nothing in his testimony is true. The only true thing he saidwas that he is only making the accusations because he wants thebenefits of the lenience deal," Lula said.

Lula called Palocci "cold and calculating" and said the formerminister only made accusations against him to get a shortersentence. He said Odebrecht's donations to the Lula Institute arelegal and documented and do not constitute bribes.

He also denied Palocci's accusation of obstruction of justice,saying he would not be in politics if he did not believe injustice.

"Regrettably, Palocci subjected himself to this small job,because inventing untruths to try to criminalize a person whom heknows did not commit the crimes he alleged is very unpleasant,"Lula said. "I honestly do not feel anger at Palocci. I feel sorrythat he ended such a brilliant career the way he did." Enditem

CARACAS, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The president of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly (ANC), Delcy Rodriguez, said one of its greatest challenges is to help diversify the country's oil-dependent economy, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

An economic crisis broke out in Venezuela after oil prices plummeted, so diversifying the national economy is key to a sustainable recovery coach prairie leather satchel bag , Rodriguez said.

The ANC is looking at ways to develop the agriculture, pharmaceutical and tourism industries, while continuing to make the most of the country's energy resources, she said.

Over-reliance on oil "facilitated the economic attack" by the United States, Rodriguez said, referring to recent sanctions imposed by Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing new sanctions on Venezuela last month coach borough large black satchels , which will prohibit dealings in new debt and equity issued by the government of Venezuela and its state oil company.

It was the latest round of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on the South American country after the ANC elections.

The ANC made economic diversity a "strategic goal" and created a special commission for this after Washington imposed sanctions.

"Venezuela has all the potential to develop and become a real power, not just a country with large oil reserves on the planet," she said.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last week submitted eight proposals to the ANC to bolster the economy, including tax reforms and an initiative to drop the U.S. dollar as the benchmark currency for international transactions, amid Washington's attempt to cut off the country's access to the U.S. currency.

Venezuela has potential to develop the pharmaceutical industry which could meet at least 75 percent of the country's medical needs, she said.

"We also have the Caribbean gas belt coach bleecker cooper satchel , the largest gas fields in our hemisphere that have yet to be fully developed, (and) the Orinoco Mining Arc, which is beginning to take shape," Rodriguez said, referring to a mining project in eastern Venezuela.

The South American country also has untapped agricultural potential, she said. While there are 33 million hectares (330 coach madison satchel small ,000 square km) of cropland, and abundant water resources, only 4 million hectares (40,000 square km) are cultivated.

"We can do a lot more in Venezuela to develop, to guarantee self-sufficiency and food sovereignty," said Rodriguez.

The powerful legislative body has a two-year mandate to draft new laws in a bid to overcome the country's political crisis.

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A worker is seen on a textile production line at Liuhe Group in Nanchong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Sept. 11, 2017. Nanchong enjoyed fame of a "city of silk" which has a complete industry that covers mulberry-growing, silkworm-raising coach legacy mini satchel , silk production, silk fabric processing and education and research on sericulture and silk production. (XinhuaLiu Kun)